Book Beat: A Wrinkle in Time and New Harry Potter Books

Hi book lovers! Ashley here! I’m still in a bit of shock that it’s the end of July, but I’m doing better with my summer reading then I had thought I would. I’m flying out to Atlanta, Georgia for a conference, and I’m currently reading Hunger by Roxanne Gay. It’s heartbreaking, but also incredibly candid, and she pulls it all off in the way only a great writer could, without slipping into melodramatic tones. So much has happened in the book world recently so let’s get caught up together!

A Wrinkle in Time director Ava Duvernay and lead Storm Reid

I screamed so loud when the trailer for A Wrinkle in Time was released and have already watched it maybe thirty times. The movie is based on the popular young adult fiction/fantasy book that really was my introduction to the genre. I didn’t know that I could read about science fiction and fantasy with delight until I picked it up. The movie is being directed by the visionary Ava Duvernay, and the cast includes Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, and Storm Reid. It’s going to be amazing. A lot of fans have praised the casting of Meg as a black young girl, as well as Kaling and Oprah, hoping that the diverse cast will inspire the next generation of readers. I was so enamored by the trailer I picked up the book again (having lost it sometime throughout my childhood) and read it in a day. It’s still amazing, and I’m pretty sure the movie will be too. If you want to read more and watch the trailer check out this article.

Don’t get too excited, because the news release’s have been a bit misleading, but there are two new Harry Potter books slated to be published in October to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch. J. K. Rowling will not be the author of these books, rather they will be released at and with the British Library’s Harry Potter exhibition. The two books are titled Harry Potter: A History of Magic and Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic. You can read more about the release here.

Author Nnedi Okorafor announced that her book Who Fears Death was optioned by HBO and is set to be produced in part by our old friend George R.R Martin. This award winning novel is a post-apocalyptic epic. You can read more about the author, her book, and the release here.

England recently unveiled their new 10 pound note featuring Jane Austen, but there was a catch and a lot of fans weren’t happy. Though it is the first time a woman will be featured apart from a Queen, the quote on the currency reads “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!” stated by a unlikeable character who was ironically stating this to annoy another character. A lot of fans are upset that this quote would be included, because it proved that while the intent to include her on the note was fine, they obviously did not do their research. You can read more about the fiasco here.